Formula 1 is in total meltdown this afternoon after explosive reports emerged that Max Verstappen, together with six other top drivers, has reportedly thrown his weight behind a petition calling on the FIA to permanently ban Adam Norris – father of reigning 2025 world champion Lando Norris – from any official involvement in assisting his son during the 2026 season.
The alleged petition, first leaked on anonymous F1 insider channels and rapidly amplified across paddock WhatsApp groups and private media chats, accuses Adam Norris of “reputation-damaging behavior toward competitors,” “unacceptable interference in technical matters,” and “creating a toxic environment that undermines the spirit of fair competition.” The document reportedly names Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso and one unnamed additional driver as supporters.
According to multiple high-level sources who have seen the circulating draft, the petition demands the FIA immediately revoke Adam Norris’s recently granted “Special Technical Advisor” credential at McLaren and issue a formal ban preventing him from accessing any circuit, pit lane, garage, briefing room or data during official race weekends in 2026.
The move – if confirmed – would be unprecedented in modern F1 history: banning a driver’s parent from track involvement on conduct grounds.
The FIA CEO Mohammed Ben Sulayem is said to have convened an emergency virtual meeting of the World Motor Sport Council late this afternoon to discuss the petition’s validity, potential precedent, and whether it warrants formal disciplinary action. Sources close to the governing body say Ben Sulayem is “extremely concerned” about the precedent of drivers collectively targeting a family member of a rival, but is equally alarmed by the growing chorus of complaints about Adam Norris’s influence.
Adam Norris was appointed McLaren’s “Special Technical Advisor” just days ago – a role that grants him direct access to technical briefings, simulator data, aero meetings and strategy discussions. The move drew immediate backlash, with many viewing it as blatant nepotism. Norris Sr. then poured fuel on the fire by declaring: “My son will continue to hold the championship in 2026, and no one, not even his teammates, can stop him.”
That statement is now cited in the petition as evidence of “toxic, divisive rhetoric” that undermines team harmony and fair competition.
Max Verstappen has not commented publicly, but sources close to Red Bull say he “fully supports” the petition and views Adam Norris’s role as “a dangerous escalation of family interference in professional sport.” Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) reportedly declined to sign but expressed private concern about the precedent. Lando Norris has stayed silent so far, but McLaren insiders say the team is in crisis talks.
The backlash is ferocious. Social media is ablaze with #BanAdamNorris and #F1FamilyDrama trending worldwide. Fans are split: some see it as justified (“Adam’s arrogance is toxic – good on Max for calling it out!”), others call it a witch hunt (“Punishing a father for supporting his son? F1 has lost its mind.”)
If the FIA acts, it could set off a chain reaction: legal challenges from the Norris camp, sponsor unease, and potential driver boycotts or strikes. If it ignores the petition, it risks alienating the grid’s biggest names and appearing weak on governance.
The 2026 season hasn’t even started – and already the sport is tearing itself apart.
One thing is clear: Adam Norris has become the most divisive figure in F1 overnight.
And Max Verstappen has just drawn the battle lines.
The FIA’s next move could change everything – forever
